Canada marks 63 years of diplomacy with Jamaica at Kingston Canada Day reception

Canada’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, Mark Berman, welcomed diplomats, officials, and guests to the official residence in Kingston for the 2026 Canada Day reception, an event framed around 63 years of formal diplomatic relations and Canada’s 159th anniversary as a nation.

Addressing the gathering, Berman described Jamaica as Canada’s anchor and most significant bilateral partner in the English-speaking Caribbean, a designation he said Ottawa does not apply lightly. He pointed to deep people-to-people links: more than 300,000 Canadians claim Jamaican heritage, while visitor flows from Canada rank among Jamaica’s largest source markets and carry some of the highest return rates.

The commissioner also cited practical support during recent hardship. Following Hurricane Melissa, Canada provided more than J$1.4 billion in humanitarian and short-term development assistance. He said six decades of partnership had shown that both countries know how to respond when crisis strikes.

Looking forward, officials said talks are widening on migration and labour mobility, regional security, and trade and investment aimed at creating economic opportunity on both sides. In calmer periods, bilateral trade exceeds US$220 million. In April 2026 alone, Jamaica exported CAD$16.9 million to Canada while importing CAD$9.62 million, yielding a surplus. Cassava and baked goods ranked among Jamaica’s leading shipments, while processed fish from Canada was among the island’s top imports.

Berman highlighted culinary ties, noting that the Jamaican patty has become a fixture in Canada long before many Canadians ever visit the island. State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Alando Terrelonge joined him in marking the 60th anniversary of the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme, launched in 1966. More than 9,000 Jamaicans now travel north each year under the scheme, supporting Canadian farms while sending earnings home.

Terrelonge told the high commissioner that Jamaica remains committed to deepening the relationship and exploring new areas of cooperation. Berman said Canada seeks to build with Jamaica rather than simply seek advantage, and pointed to Canadian private-sector interest in clean technology, climate-resilient infrastructure, and agriculture as part of post-Melissa recovery efforts.